But the original comparison was between the Currie Cup and the NPC, and I’d say the CC, if anything, is the more even of the 2.

Easily, the NPC (in it's various incarnations) has been one of the most unequal competitions for years. It's either Canterbury or Auckland, with Wellington…

But the original comparison was between the Currie Cup and the NPC, and I’d say the CC, if anything, is the more even of the 2.

The overseas eligibility thing is really complicated. The…

1. The NPC idea. Bottom 4 go down. That's given. So obvious and un iversal.
2. The Super Clubs shifting around. The other 2 countries don't do that; better ways of quelling the Pitchfork Revolution than that.

1. Agreed. Shame the NZRU can't change that now. Still I imagine the…

No idea about the crowds but it's the most evenly contested comp around (apart from the Isolation Years).

I suppose that depends on how you define evenly contested. Since 1995 five teams have won the title:

Team – Wins (number of finals appearances)
Natal Sharks – 3 (7)
Western Province…

You were nmisleading there. Hopefully intentionally.

As for this thread, there is a lot of cross-threading between Tom's solutions.

1. The NPC idea. Bottom 4 go down. That's given. So obvious and…

The reason why there are no crowds at Currie Cup minnows matches is because the CC has historically been dominated by two teams

????

With respect Naly, where did that come from??

Thorough research over the last 5 years worth of competitions?

Yamis: Accepting a draft system is just acknowledgement that the players in the top 5 teams will play twice as much rugby as the players in the other ANZC teams. As Paul said, and as Naly has…

A. If the All Blacks picked on nationality we'd have had Howlett, Hayman, Jack etc last year. And wouldn't have come across Wulf, Owens, Ross, Thomson, Kaino etc. Because of those 4, Ross was the only one I thought 'yeah, he's better than Ali'.

Um, this is not a logically…

Just looking at the Currie Cup and it's quite interesting with the dynamics of it.

They only have 8 teams not 14 like us...

This to me shows once again how the Super 14 is crapping on local rugby.

But thanks to TV rights and national unions with the type…

The idea is that the ANC would become the main competition in NZ each year

Agreed, but not just in terms of length – in terms of a quality, NZ exclusive competition

What you guys are arguing for is essentially exactly what we already have.

Not al all. What we…

The idea is that the ANC would become the main competition in NZ each year (in times of length) just like the premier league…

Forget the draft Simon.

You don't reward unsuccessful players in unsuccessful teams. You take the teams that qualified and go with them. You don't see Manchester United or Arsenal etc drafting in top players from other sides for the Champions League.

Have to disagree. The structure of the game is…

Forget the draft Simon.

You don't reward unsuccessful players in unsuccessful teams. You take the teams that qualified and go with them.

Sounds good, but wouldn't work. You need to reward the good players in developing teams and give them further opportunities to develop – and then send them back…

Just looking at the Currie Cup and it's quite interesting with the dynamics of it.

They only have 8 teams not 14 like us. The Sharks stay as the same team (massive advantage if you ask me in both the Currie Cup AND Super 14), the Bulls more or…

No, you asked if there was etc. which, yeah, there is.

Actually no I'm quite confident I was talking about physically moving, as noted by my use of the word "moves":

Find me a multi-million dollar business with about 40 staff that moves every year depending on whether some other…

@Simon; I stand corrected, apologies. (Did I mean Nucifora instead? I can't remember.)

As Hadyn pointed out, I was talking about physical moves.

No, you asked if there was etc. which, yeah, there is. Have you looked at what actually happens when a team goes up or down? Suddenly the amount of money available massively changes, and they buy up or sell-off accordingly,…

The Premier League does something pretty similar, as does almost every other football league in existence, including the Champions League.

As Hadyn pointed out, I was talking about physical moves.

I have a question. Has any union other than the 5 current ones expressed an interest in being a S14…

Your seems to go something like "Well, Manchester United MAY have come last in the last three premier seasons, but they won it three times in a row so you can't relegate them."

Actually I think that wasn't Naly's point at all. Nice straw man though, very flimsy.

The analogies…

WE WON THE ASHES!!!

Kiwi's who were around in 1985 will remember the pleasure in beating the Aussies..

Well, Glenn Moore's been in control of the Highlanders for two seasons and has beaten Canterbury twice. Colin Cooper and Ian Foster are yet to achieve that in their whole career.

I call bullshit. The Chiefs beat the Crusaders twice on the trot in 07 and 08.

2007: Chiefs 30-24…

who are a business, not a publicly owned enterprise

No, they're an incorporated society, not a business. The overly corporate approach to rugby is part of the problem.

Super 12:
1996: Auck 2nd, Chiefs 6th, Highlanders 8th, 'Canes 9th, Crusaders 12th.
1997: Auck 1st, 'Canes 3rd, Crusaders 6th, Chiefs 11th,…

take the top 5 and play a shortish champions league style comp with the top Aussie and Currie Cup teams.

This is an idea I've toyed with a bit before. As our players are centrally contracted to the NZRU I don't see why it would be so difficult for the…

Find me a multi-million dollar business with about 40 staff that moves every year depending on whether some other business has done well.

The Premier League does something pretty similar, as does almost every other football league in existence, including the Champions League.

Not spectacular but definately noticeable. TV ratings and general interest on the radio is also noticeably up.

They will have to cull 4 teams though and they…

Err, dude, if it is a business, then why should they be protected from their dismal on and off field performance?

It's not protection from being crap, it's protection from having to move base every year at short notice. super rugby will have already appointed coaches and support staff, head…

I never knew The Highlanders were the General Motors of New Zealand rugby – to big to fail no matter how useless they are.

They don't have to be that big. Players are contracted for a certain length of time, as are sponsors. And then there would be the new…

...the loss plummeted [Australia] from first to fourth in the world test rankings behind South Africa, Sri Lanka and India.

Awesome.

You can't shift these things around willy nilly in November for a competition that starts in February. Preparation for Super 14 2010 has already started now.

Err, dude, if it is a business, then why should they be protected from their dismal on and off field performance? I never knew…

Off the field reasons are no reasons at all.

This is nonsense. Super 14 franchises, like any other sporting franchise, owns property, employs people, signs contracts. You can't shift these things around willy nilly in November for a competition that starts in February. Preparation for Super 14 2010 has already…

Ah crap! Was it close?

4 – 4 with a late goal to NZ to make it 5 – 4. Then because they split the games they had a penalty shootout to decide who won the series. NZ goalie Zak Nothling shut out both Aussie shooters, Chris Eaden and Brent…

And it's a real good idea you've got there. 'Hey Auckland, you're gonna lose…

The bottom line for is if someone wants it more, and earns it, they should…

tensure that the S14 franchises spread the games around more equitably.

That hasn't worked, you get a bit of tokenism for a year or two then splutters out again as "to hard". And wouldn't address the need of risk of failure to motivate and renew.

Let's imagine an NZRFU "worst…

A better way for the peasants’ revolt to succeed is to ensure that the S14 franchises spread the games around more equitably. If BoP want to revolt, they’re better off marching on Hamilton than Dunedin.

But couldn’t agree more re the automatic relegation for the bottom 4. But what’s…

I can't see this one working for a number of reasons. Financial ones mainly. And player contracts would be all over the place. It'd be far too messy.

A number of reasons? I fear you probably reflect NZRFU thinking. Like Napoleon's opponents, they see everything at once. They should try…

In Australia, losing the Bledisloe is like losing your car keys, before finding them half an hour later.

Seven years and counting, actually.

If the Australians were reeling a little from the Bledisloe, then the Ashes defeat was a nice kick in the sack

In Australia, losing the Bledisloe is like losing your car keys, before finding them half an hour later. Losing the Ashes is when you realize your wife has run…

How about at the end of this season, the bottom four teams ANZC should be relegated. No formulas, if Auckland, Waikato, Nothland and Counties-Manakau are the last four then drop them.

I think more people here would agree with that, but...

if the top finishing non-super union finishes ahead in…

Anyone watching Sky Sport 3 on Sunday evening would have seen their ice hockey team lose to New Zealand's Ice Blacks for the first time ever a little after 7pm, after 11 consecutive wins.

Ah crap! Was it close?

__I woke up on Sunday with a voice that sounded not…

If the Australians were reeling a little from the Bledisloe, then the Ashes defeat was a nice kick in the sack.

Anyone watching Sky Sport 3 on Sunday evening would have seen their ice hockey team lose to New Zealand's Ice Blacks for the first time ever a little after…

Winning may be all that's necessary, but a coach needs to be judged on relative performance.

How's 5-1 for relative performance?

I woke up on Sunday with a voice that sounded not unlike Brad Thorn.

Did Amy send you back ten metres?

But isn't it absurd that if Carter had (quite understandably) missed that final kick, the calls for Henry's passport to be revoked so he couldn't return from Sydney would have been deafening and letting Deane go would be held up as the greatest loss to NZ statehood since Savage's funeral?…

Agree it was a strange series though. Australia lost it on the back of 2 bad session / batting collapses and the fact they don’t have a spinner.

Otherwise they were the dominant team.

I was talking to a Scottish guy who couldn't believe I was going for the English, but we eventually agreed that what it boils down to is your general proximity to the tossers that inhabit the victor nation.

I support whoever is playing Australia. With one exception, the English.

It…

Even Chris Rattue was happy with Graham Henry, mostly

But isn't it absurd that if Carter had (quite understandably) missed that final kick, the calls for Henry's passport to be revoked so he couldn't return from Sydney would have been deafening and letting Deane go would be held up as…

For me it's one of those things I don't really care too much about because now we have to put up with arrogant England supporters (at least they're further away).

I was talking to a Scottish guy who couldn't believe I was going for the English, but we eventually agreed…